AN EVENING event designed to build bridges and break down language barriers with Polish residents has swelled the ranks of the police force.
Visitors came from as far as Redhill in Surrey to attend the event at Greenford Hall in Ruislip Road on Monday.
Representatives from the police,
the DVLA, Western Union, the GMB union and the Drug and Alcohol Action Programme and homelessness charity the Upper Room were on hand on Monday to help listen and offer information.
The event was organised by PC Mark Gallacher,of the Greenford Broadway Safer Neighbourhood Team.
He said: "In Poland a lot of people don't necessarily trust the police,and this fear is still there when they come to England. We thought we would go to them to make us more accessible."
The police's recruitment stall was particularly popular,with one person applying to become a PC straight away and another 15 taking away application packs.
The police are hoping to boost numbers and currently have six Polish officers, all PCSOs.
PC Gallacher added: "Ealing has a large Polish community and we want to reflect the whole community we serve.Polish officers help us get advice across to the Polish community."
